Police are investigating a gun death in Springfield, Ore.,
allegedly involving
UFC veteran Gerald
Strebendt, according to a
report from The Register-Guard. David Paul Crofut was fatally
shot Wednesday evening, shortly after his vehicle collided with
Strebendt’s truck, The Register-Guard reported early Friday
morning. Strebendt has not been charged in the case, according to
the report, which indicated that police are investigating the
possibility that Crofut was shot in a legal act of
self-defense.

Sherdog.com attempted to contact Springfield police Sgt. David
Lewis to confirm the current status of the case, but Lewis could
not immediately be reached for comment. Police reportedly met with
Lane County prosecutors on Thursday to discuss the case.

According to the report, Strebendt was among those who called 911
to report the shooting shortly before 8 p.m., after which officers
arrived on scene and found Crofut dead. A firearm allegedly
belonging to Strebendt was the only weapon taken from the scene,
The Register-Guard reported.

A former Marine, Strebendt began his pro MMA career in 2001 and
posted a 6-2 record before making his lone Ultimate Fighting
Championship appearance opposite Josh Thomson
at UFC 44. Following that 2003 defeat, “The Finishing Machine”
would go 3-4 in his next seven outings, last competing in January
2008. Outside the cage, Strebendt owns and operates Northwest
Training Center in Springfield, Ore.